Warm and Fuzzy Thoughts on Christmas

Merry Christmas friends! As many of you are opening gifts, and let's be honest I am too, I just wanted to take a moment and thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a wonderful year of readership, kinship, and growth. I've learned so much from you this year, and I've made friendships I hope will last through all the years. You are a part of my story, you are a part of the Christmas story.

As I enjoy time with those closest to me this week, and the next, I hope that you get to do the same. And if for whatever reason you are far from your family during this time know that there's a blogger out there thinking of you, and praying blessings on you today. big kiss, bekuh

The 12 Dates of Christmas: The Recap

follow me @bekuhdoo

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! We have lots of family gatherings in the next couple of days but I wanted to share a recap of the 12 dates of Christmas, which we finished just in the knick of time. It's been such a fun month carving out special time to spend with Ryan, and really getting the chance to enjoy each other during this hectic season. I didn't want to lug around the camera to every outing, so I just snapped a single picture and posted it to instagram at the start of each date instead. These are all twelve dates in order...

Date 1: Picking out our tree
Date 2: Starbucks lattes for two
Date 3: Flea Market Diving
Date 4: A brunch with all the fixings
Dare 5: Rigging up the lights with a cocktail in hand
Date 6: A walk in a Winter Wonderland to look at all the neighbor's lights.
Date 7: Ice cream date for two
Date 8: Christmas cookie baking
Date 9: Shopping for all our friends and family
Date 10: A Christmas movie marathon
Date 11: Grocery store samples date
Date 12: Squash soup made by Ryan for a sick me

I can't believe the 12 dates of Christmas are over! It makes me even more appreciative of my husband looking back over these memories, and thinking how sweet he is to indulge me on such things. big kiss, bekuh

Mamaw's Gingersnap Cookies

Spice cookies are some of my favorites. I love dunking them in milk, eating a few with a hot cup of coffee or tea, or gobbling them up with spiked egg nog. Growing up my mamaw would always have some gingersnaps in the icebox waiting for us to visit. These days I make them as a holiday treat for friends and family, and I'm happy to be carrying this tradition on in my own home. Along with our mounds bars from yesterday, we made these crispy delights to eat as we watched Christmas movies all Sunday evening. 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup crisco or margarine

1c sugar

1 egg

1/4c molasses

1/4 tsp salt

2c flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp ground clove

Directions:

1. Cream the crisco and sugar.

2. Mix in the egg and molasses, until fully combined.

3. In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients. Then, slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, until combined.

4. Chill overnight*

5. Preheat oven to 325F

6. Pinch off a portion of the gingersnap dough and form a 1" round ball.

7. Press to form a disk, and sprinkle with sugar. 

8. Place on a greased cookie sheet, to bake. Cook for 10-2 minutes, do not let brown.

9. Cool and serve with your beverage of choice.

*Note: We made the dough on Saturday and baked them on Sunday.

It means so much to me to share these recipes and traditions with you; as you have become a part of my life story. As the Holidays approach I'm reminded of all the blessings in my life, and I count this blog as one of them. Without it I wouldn't have connected with so many amazing people, and felt like I'd found a place to share in all the things I'm passionate about. Thank you for your readership. big kiss, bekuh

Homemade Mounds Bars

It's a long standing tradition in my family to make these homemade mounds bars every Christmas. Even my Dad and Ryan who aren't coconut fans drool at the mention of these cookies. They're simple, delicious, and can feed an army (if you don't eat them all yourself). As one of our 12 dates of Christmas Ryan, and I spent an afternoon baking, and these beauties were on the top of the list. Today I thought I'd share this family favorite with you too.

Ingredients:
1 box graham crackers  (you'll only use 2 of the inner packages)
1/4c sugar
1/2c melted margarine
2c chocolate chips
1 tbsp peanut butter (or peanut butter substitute)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
7 oz shredded coconut

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350F
2. In a large ziplock bag dump the 2 packages of graham crackers inside, and using a meat tenderizer or rolling pin crumble the graham crackers into tiny pieces.
3. Put the graham crackers in a mixing bowl, and mix in the melted butter and sugar.
4. Grab a 9"x13" baking dish and grease it. Press the graham cracker mixture into the pan, forming a crust on the bottom. Cook for 10 minutes, and let cool for a couple minutes.
4. In a separate bowl mix the sweetened condensed milk, and shredded coconut. Spread over the graham cracker crust. Place back in the oven and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the coconut topping starts to brown. Let cool completely.
5. Melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, mixing until all is smooth and combined. Pour the chocolate over the coconut, and graham cracker crust. Carefully spread the chocolate out, covering everything.
6. Chill in the fridge, or a cool place and serve after the chocolate is completely set.

A rich treat for sure. I pretty much save up all my baking until Christmas time, so these are a real treat. What are some of your family recipe traditions? I'm always game for learning a new recipe. big kiss, bekuh

PS- Don't forget to enter the Dot & Army giveaway going on now!

The 12 Dates of Christmas: We're Half Way There!

Ryan and I are on a roll with these Christmas dates guys! It's so much fun being really purposeful with our time, and getting to really make some amazing memories together along the way. We're half way through the 12 dates, and I'm going to really hate it when they're done. I think the most valuable lesson we're learning from this experience is that dates don't have to be expensive, or involve dressing up. Most of our dates are outings we go on regularly, it's just we're making them more about together time, and elevating them into something special. It's pretty awesome.

For date two we went to Starbucks and sipped lattes slowly. Date three involved flea market diving. Date four was a special brunch, on date five we hung our Christmas lights with cocktails in hand, and date six we walked around our neighborhood checking out all the lights. I'm snapping pics along the way and posting them to twitter and instagram (both @bekuhdoo) if you'd like to follow along. I'll be doing a full roundup after all twelve dates on the blog too! Today just a couple of images from dates three, five, and six.

With only 11 days to go until Christmas, Ryan and I will be making a lot more memories very soon. I'm thinking tonight might be a date night. Are any on you doing anything special with your honey this holiday season? big kiss, bekuh

Christmas Tree Trimming

Yesterday night after a long day of tree shopping, and car fixing, Ryan and I managed to carve out a couple of hours to decorate the Christmas tree together. We put on some Christmas music, sipped on hot cider, and danced with little Nellie as we hung lights, and ornaments on all the branches. This is our first Christmas with our precious pup, so everything feels extra sweet.

I'm a huge fan of "toy" ornaments as Ryan calls them, and my Mom was gracious enough to give me a box filled with all my baby baubles and trinkets for our tree last year. It's so special having some childhood memories hanging on your "adult" Christmas tree. I also love making new traditions, and memories with Ryan; like buying a new kitschy ornament for the tree together each year. We haven't found our 2012 ornament yet. Oh, and I made those yummy looking cinnamon ornaments! So much to say about our little 6 ft Christmas tree. I say little, because last year's tree was a monster!

Homemade, and goofy are my favorite adjectives when describing my Christmas decorating scheme. Happy Holidays! big kiss, bekuh

The First Date of Christmas: We Bought Our Tree!

Ryan and I decided to make this Christmas season extra special by selecting 12 mini dates to go on between now and Christmas Eve, "The Twelve Dates of Christmas." Rockstar Diaries did this last year and I just loved the idea! Like so many people we've had to cut our gift budget way back this year, and I think adding these fun inexpensive dates will be even more special than a gift under our Christmas tree.

For our first date of Christmas we went with our friends Martin and Mollie and bought our Christmas tree! It was a fun way to spend Sunday morning, and then we decorated the tree in the evening just the two of us (well Nellie helped too). All day dates are the best. I'll post pictures from our tree decorating later today. big kiss, bekuh

Thanksgiving: The Meal

I hope all you wonderful US readers had a fabulous Thanksgiving day yesterday. Ryan and I drove through the night to make it to my sister's on Thanksgiving morning. It was totally worth the drive. Despite the lack of sleep we gathered our strength, and cooked a gorgeous meal to share between the three of us. Well, and a few table scraps for the puppies too. Here are a few pictures from the meal:

We started the meal off with some cheese and crackers. My favorite combo was the brie with fig, and spicy plum chutney. For dinner we served our turkey with chunky cranberry sauce, garlic and sage cornbread stuffing, rolls, roasted root vegetables, and gravy. Washing everything down with local southern pecan beer, and wine. Ryan and I brought the veggies from our last CSA yield, and the turkey soaked in a brine all the way to Mississippi. You could say we take our Thanksgiving meal prep pretty seriously. After the giant meal we slept for a couple of hours, and got up for a little dessert too.

What was your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table yesterday? big kiss, bekuh

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!

Hey guess what America, it's Independence Day! That means I'm off of work, and I'm living in a still democratic society (wohoo to 236 years and counting). We don't really have plans today and it feels oh so good. Maybe we'll go hiking, or play in the water, or tickle Nellie bird, or just love on one another. One thing is for sure, today will involve eating outside. It's unamerican to celebrate July 4th any other way. Just kidding, in America you can eat wherever you'd like. I hope all of you have a wonderful day, I'll be back tomorrow. big kiss, bekuh

Ps- Don't you love Ryan's "big papa pose," haha? This was taken before he cut all his hair off

Father's Day

Today is Father's day, a day set aside to celebrate our fathers and the influence they've had on our lives. From the moment we are born our dad's play an irreplaceable role in forming who we are. Today I celebrate my daddy and father-in-law; two wonderful men who have played a huge role in both Ryan and my life. I hope each of you are taking a moment today to celebrate the men who have played significant roles in your life.

Daddy, 

To say that I will always be your little girl is an understatement. You were my super hero growing up, one of the manliest men I've ever known, and there is nothing you can't do in my eyes. You have always shown your children the tender side of love and I thank you for being brave enough to share your emotions on your sleeve. I wish I could be with you on this and every father's day, but know I carry you around in my heart no matter where I go. I love you, your bekuh-doo

JB,

Whenever I am around you Brownings I feel like the most welcome, and loved girl in the world. You have a way of making anybody feel comfortable and your easy smile, and generous spirit make you unforgettable. So much of Ryan's personality can be traced back to you and at times I'm amazed at how much you two are alike. You've always been a wonderful father and your boys will be the first to share that with anybody willing or unwilling to listen. love, bekuh

Celebrate Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all of you maternal goddesses out there. I'm so happy there is a day dedicated to celebrating the influential women in our lives, because I have so many. Today I'll focus on the Mothers both my own and Ryan's.

Mom, 

I love you so much. Not a day goes by that I don't say, do, or act out in some way that has been influenced by you. From my handwriting to my inability to do hair I've gotten a lot of "me" from you. Is there any connection like that of a mother and daughter? I don't know, but I do know that you sacrificed a lot for me over the years and I hope in my adult years I'll be able to show you a fraction of that love I forgot to through the years. I'm so glad that you're my mommy.

Lorena, 

Thank you so much for welcoming me as a part of your little clan. You raised my favorite person on the the planet and for that I will be forever in your debt. Thank you for sharing Ryan with me and for loving me like a daughter. Your help and kindness hasn't gone unnoticed. I love you.

I hope each and every one of you are out there loving your Mothers and spending a little time reflecting on their influence in your life. Ryan and I are preparing a meal for ours today and I'm off to enjoy it. big kiss, bekuh

Happy New Years

Oh New Years, always a joyous evening full of fun and mischief. We're headed out to and with friends and I hope you are as well. I thought these silly pictures from last New Years might tide you over until I can share what we're doing tonight. I have lots to planned for you tomorrow and in the coming weeks so prepare yourself for an awesome intro into the newest year. Happy 2012 everybody!

Kiss someone sweet, I know I will (wink wink). big kiss, bekuh

A Tale of Many Christmases

I mentioned in yesterday's post that Ryan and I have four Christmases this year, let me explain. We have his parents', my mom's, my dad's, and we decided to have our own private little Christmas at home too. Easy enough, but when you add traveling, holiday schedules, people's availability etc. you've got pure Christmas chaos. 

This year we decided to go to Ohio for the actual Christmas holiday and spend it with my Dad and his family. We went to Ryan's parents' on the Thursday before, and had our little celebration together that night too. That leaves my mom, we have celebrated Christmas with her on New Years since my parent's divorce, a tradition that carries on even today. So you can guess where I'll be tomorrow. I wanted to give you a pictorial representation of three of our four Christmases today, so hold onto to your seat belts because this was one wild ride. 

This is a very picture heavy post, you know you love it.

These four pictures are perfect examples of or holiday madness, our families are so loving and giving and I'm pretty sure Ryan and I both got almost every item off our Christmas wishlists. The bottom two pictures are our Dads, JB is Ryan's Dad on the left and Greg is my Dad on the right. They're both as jolly as Christmas elves in these pictures.

We'll start with the Browning Christmas. We had lasagna for dinner, laughter for dessert and a whole lot of gifts exchanged. JB got new art supplies and everyone got pictures from the wedding to hang at home.

Layla was so worn out by our gift giving she just passed out at Ryan's feet, and on his new drum sticks.

Next up Ryan and I decided to have a private little Christmas celebration at home and each exchanged one gift. We left the rest of our gifts unopened until Christmas day.

We both decided to give each other clothes to open which was total coincidence and kind of cute. I love my new red wool skirt!

Finally we headed north, to rain and not snow, but had a merry little Christmas with the Powers clan. We ate way too much, hugged a lot and opened presents until we were all blue in the face. We all received so much! I felt very blessed.

After all was said and done I have to say I'm super thankful for all of the holiday madness. We've gotten to spend a great deal of time with family in the last week or so and we'll get to spend more time with family tomorrow. All the gifts are just icing on the cake, but what would icing be without the cake to put it on? big kiss, bekuh